Hand tool



M5 21, 1935 CLEMENS 2,001,707

HAND TOOL Filed Oct. 5, 1932 Patented May 21, 1935 PATENTOF HAND TOOL Fred J. Clemens, East Haven, Conn, assignor to K-D Manufacturing Company, Lancaster, Pa.,, a corporation of Pennsylvania Application October 5, 1932, Serial No. 636,361 10 Claims (01. 81-51) This invention relates to hand tools and more particularly to hand tools of the plier type having provision for releasably holding and retaining cone-shaped split keepers for the valve spring retainer disks of like, and for the valvestem. The operation of replacing or inserting such keepers in position on a valve Stem has always been a tedious and diflicult.

task, requiring considerable time and labor'due to the engine structure at this point, especially as this operation has to be done while the retaining diskis held upwardly against the compression o1 the valve spring. The keepers not only have to be placed about the valve stem but also held there while the retaining disk is lowered into contact therewith. In manyinstances, the keepers slip from the position in which they are placed and drop'into the crank case of the engine. These must-be taken'from the crank case or else others supplied in theirplace. The tool of this invention permits the user to disposey and hold the keepers in position about the valve stem with one hand while lowering the disk about the same with the other. e 7

One of the objects of this invention is to provide an improved hand tool adapted for use in replacing or'inserting cone-shaped split keeper's.

orthe like, on a valve stem.

. Another object is to provide such a hand tool with keeperengaging or holding means ofsuch structure that the operation'of replacing orinserting thesame may be performed-more quickly or readily than has been done in the past.

Still another object is to provide a hand tool for the above purpose which will be of compar'a tively simple structure, inexpensive to manuture and particularly eflicient in use. p

A further object is to provide improved keeper engaging means in a tool of this type-whereby the same will be adapted for use in replacing or inserting keepers of various sizes and shapes.

To these and other ends the invention consists in the novel'features and combinations of parts to be hereinafter described and claimed.

In the accompanying drawing:

Fig. 1 is a top plan view of a hand tool embodying the featuresof this invention;

Fig. 2 is a side view of the same;

I Fig. 3 is a section on line -3 of Fig. 1; 3 Fig. 4 is a section on line 4-4 of. Fig. l;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged top View of the jaws and associated parts of a hand tool of this invention, the jaws being: shown in open position with keeper 55 parts being held therein; V

internal'combustion engines, or the. replacing or inserting them upon Fig. 6 is a side view of one of in Fi .5;

Fig. '7 is an end view of the same; i

Fig. 8 is a partial assembly of a valve stem, valve spring, retaining disk and keeper, and Fig. 9'is a section on line 9-9 of Fig. 8. The handtool selected to illustrate the features of this invention is provided primarily for the pur-. pose of replacing or inserting cone-shaped split keepers into their position about a valve stem-of an internal'combustion engine, but may be used for holding and retaining the .parts of any generally cylindrically-shaped split bushing to replace or insert them where desired. This hand tool. is preferably constructed of sheet metal whereby it the jaws shown is comparativelylight in weight. It is of the plier type,.comprising a pair of jaws I0 and II, formed on the endsof extensions [2 and I3 of e a pairof handles M and I5, respectively. The handles I 4 and I5 are U-shaped in cross-section and are each provided with a pair of ears I6, the. pair onone handle straddling the pair on the other and'being pivoted together at this point by a pivot pin H. A spring I8 is coiled about the pivot pin I1 and provided with extensions l9 and 20 that engage respectively the handles 14 and I 5, to constantly urge them apart and'in consequence urge the jaws l0 and H toward each other into closed position. Y

Each of the jaws ill and l I are formed integral with one of the handles by being disposed at the end of one of theextensions l2 and i3, which, in this instance, are continuations of one of the sides of the U-shape of each handle. The base of the U-shape of each handle is extended and forms an outer edge flange for the extensions I2 and I3, as shown at 2! and 22. The jaw portions l0 and H and the extensions l2 and [3 lie in the same plane with the inner edges thereof in opposed relation and with the flanges 2i and 22 dis,- posed at substantially right angles thereto along the outer edges thereof. The extreme end of each jaw l0 and l l is provided'with an upwardly extending lug 23. A relatively short finger 24 extends rearwardly from the lug 23 substantially parallel to and along the inner edge of each jaw. The lug 23 extends from'the inner edge of each jaw along the end edge and toward theouter edge thereof. The fingers 24 are of relatively thin material. Inthis instance, the lugs 23 and fingers 24 are formed from thesheet material forming the tool andare turned or bent into posi-' tion therefrom, the fingers 24 being machine or otherwise worked to the required thinness.

AVmember 21 is slidably mounted upon each.

7 extension I 2 and I 3, and each member is'provided. along one edge with a lug 25 corresponding to the extension as at 3!. member 7 4 ing on the respective flange previously described lug 23, and a finger corresponding to the previously described finger 24.

The lug 25 is so disposed upon member 21 that it extends parallel to lug 23, and finger 26 is'so disposed upon member 21 that it extends towardand in alignment with finger 24. The members 21 are formed by bending a strip of material'downwardly across the outside of each flange 2| and 22; as at 28, transversely across and underneath the respece ,tive extension or 7 l3, as at 29, upwardly over and about the inner edge of 21 abuts against the'inside of each flange, as at 32, and by acting in cooperation with the portion 28 forms a comparatively l'ongbear.- whereby the mem.-

ber 21 is retained against rocking movement whereby it might'bind, and'is. guided in itsislidlng movements along the respective extension. 3

. upon a' valve groove 43 by a spring retaining disk 44, which. 7 has a tapered: recess'formed: therein that fits over 7 the keeper .partsL By. this arrangement, the springiretaining disk 44': supports one end of a Each of the-extensions I2 andrl3 is'cut away'to receive portion 30 of member 21 and theirecess33 so formed" iselongated; axially of the tool and limits the, sliding movement of the member 21' along the respective extension by forming shoulders.34" and 35 at eachend. of: therecess 3-3; A

coiled "spring 35 is secured" to the rear end". of lug, 23-and extends therefrom? to the rear end of lug" 25' to which it is also. secured." The spring 36 is under tension at-all times and constantly urges the-member 2l"toward shoulder 34 and therefore lug 25 a'nd-fingerj25 toward lug 23 and finger 24. The use for which 'the' above tool: is primarily intended is illustrated in the'drawingsyFigs. 8

I and 9 illustrating one form of: cone shaped. split keeper composed of two parts wand 41 assembled stem 42" and retained thereoni in a valve'spring' 45'. 'Theukeepersi are subject to '5' wear and occasional breakage and, therefore,

may require replacement. They'may be'removed V byraising' the disk 44 wherebythe spring 45: is

compressed and removing the keeper parts and4l from the valve stem 42 by" After i having removed the old ones, new keepers may be readily inserted bythe use of the tool 'of'thi's invention in the following manner. Onepart of the keeper is positioned in each jaw-,as shown in Figs. 5, 6, and 7, wherein the keeper part 40 is shoivn pressed against the fingers 24 and. 25

and clamped between the lugs 23 and-2 5 by the springtii. The keeper parts'40 and 4| are dis-. posed in this position byinserting the edge thereof behind finger 24 and against lug 23' and then swinging it toward and into engagement with spring 36 Further movement in the same direction will cause the respective keeper part to engage the finger 26 and' owing to the curvature of the keeper part willslide the member 2'lfalong the adjacent extension and under, increasing tension of spring 36 until the keeper part rides in back 'of finger 26. 'At this-instant, the member 21 is cone-shaped, as illustrated, the spring 35 not only draws the lugs 23 and 25 together and the the extension as at 30;, and transversely across the upper surface of the, The end of portion 31* of the keeper part toward the fingers 24 and 26, but

also, due to its engagement upon the cone sur- 7 face, urges the keeper part downwardly against the surface of the jaw. The spring 36, therefore, may be said to perform a three-fold operation, that of clamping the keeper part against the lugs, of clamping it firmly against the fingers, and of seating it firmly upon'the surface of the jaw.

After placing the'keeper'part's' 4|). and! in the tool jaws as above described,the tool is maniputhe valve stem 42, as shown in Fig.5. By releaspermitted to close and the keeper parts are then disposed uponthe valve stem in the groove 43 thereon, the jaws l0 and II beingeach provided lated to position the keeper parts in place about ingthe handles I4 and I5, the jaws l0 and II are. 7

with a recess 46v in their opposing edges to provide clearance about the valve stem.

The disk .44 under pressure of spring is then permitted to lower whereby the undersurface of disk 44,.as the latter'embracessthe keeper parts,

engagement with thekeeper parts. In'some instances, the disk does not seat upon the keeper parts sufiiciently to'engage the'tool' and in such' cases the tool is lowered by theuser until the spring 36, fingers 24 and 26 and lugs 23 and 25 ride oif of. the edge .of the keeper. part engaged:

thereby. V

By the provision of the sliding member 21 carrying the lug 25, the finger. 23 and the spring 35', keeper parts of'variousdiaineters', that is,,smallgradually forces the tool downwardlyand from V er or larger than theone illustrated, may be insorted in the tool and. placed in position; on the valveistem'. Variousforms of keeperparts other than cone-shaped ones may alsabeinserted in the tooi and as efliciently retained'therein, due to the holding: effect obtained by the structure above described, especially: inrespect' to the action of spring. 36. In' view of this, the tool, due to its structure as described above, is substantially uni 'versalin'its use; 1P I By the structureand arrangement of theparts:

above. described; a tool is formed that has; been found to be particularly useful for the pin-pose of replacing. or inserting keepers forvalve retaining disks of combustion enginesa'nd' which performs this operation in an "eflicient manner without the usual attendant disadvantages. The tool of this invention is also of comparatively simple structure, positive in use and inexpensive to manufacture. r 7

- While I have shown and described a preferred "embodiment of my inventiomit will-be understood that it is nottobe limited' to all'of the de tails shown, but is capable of modification'and variation withi'n'the spirit of the inventionand the scope of'the appended claims. "what'Iclaimisz a 1. In a hand tool, a pair of jaws movable toward and away from each other, each jaw having relatively movable and opposed members associated therewith, means on each jaw to position a valve spring retainer keeper or the like thereon; and means to continuously urgeone of said mem bers toward the otherto clamp the keeper or the like therebetween, said means adapted to engage the keepr' to urge it toward said positioning m a .1 1

2. In {a hand tool, apair of jawsmovable toward and 'away'from each other, each jawhaving relatively movable and opposed members associated therewith, means on each jawto position a valve spring retainer keeper'or the likethereon,

the other to clamp the keeper or the like therebetween, said means adapted to engage the keeper to clamp it against said positioning means and upon the surface of said jaw.

3. In a hand tool, a pair of jaws movable toward and away from each other, each jaw having relatively movable and opposed members associated therewith, means on each jaw to position a valve spring retainer keeper or the like thereon,

and means to continuously urge one of said members toward the other to clamp the keeper or the like therebetween, said means adapted to engage the keeper to urge it toward said positioning means and toward the upper surface of said jaw.

4. In a hand tool, a pair of jaws movable toward and away from each other, means on each jaw to releasably hold and retain a valve spring retainer keeper, said means comprising a lug and finger extending upwardly from a face of said jaw and disposed at substantially right angles to each other and to the face of said jaw, a member mounted on said tool for movement toward and away from said lug, said member having a lug and a finger extending upwardly therefrom and disposed at substantially right anglesto each other and to the face of said jaw, and means to urge said member towardssaid jaw to clamp the keeper between said lugs, said means being adapted to engage the keeper and urge it against said fingers.

5. In a hand tool, a pair of jaws movable toward and away from each other, means on each jaw to releasably hold and retain a valve spring retainer keeper, said means comprising a lug and fingers extending upwardly froma face of said jaw and disposed at substantially right angles to each other and to the face of said jaw, a member mounted on said tool for movement toward and away from said lug, said member having a lug and a finger extending upwardly therefrom and disposed at substantially right angles to each other and to the face of said jaw, and means to urge said member towards said jaw to clamp the keeper between said lugs, said means being adapted to engage the keeper and urge it against said fingers and downwardly upon the face of said jaw.

6. In a hand tool, a pair of jaws movable toward and away from each other, handle members to move said jaws, extensions between said handle members and said jaws, means on each jaw to releasably hold and retain a valve spring retainer keeper, said means comprising a lug anda finger, both extending upwardly from a face of said jaw and disposed at substantially right angles to each other and to the face of said jaw, a member mounted on each of said extensions for movement toward and away from the adjacent jaw, said member having a lug and a finger extending upright angles to each other and to the-face of said jaw, and means to urge said member toward said jaw to, clamp the keeper between said lugs, said means being adapted to engage the keeper and urge it against said fingers.

7. In a hand tool, a pair of jaws movable toward and away from each other, handle members to move said jaws, extensions between said handle members and said jaws, means on each jaw to releasably hold and retain a valve spring retainer keeper, said means comprising a lug and a finger, both extending upwardly from a face of said jaw and disposed at substantially right angles to each other and to the face of said jaw, a member mounted on each of said extensionsfor movement toward and away from the adjacent jaw, said member having a lug and a finger extending upwardly therefrom and disposed at substantially right angles to each other and to the face of said jaw, and means to urge said member toward said jaw to clamp the keeper between said lugs, said means being adapted to engage downwardly upon the face of said jaw.

8. In a hand tool, a pair of jaws movable toward and away from each other, each jaw having rela: tively movable and opposed members associated therewith, means on each jaw to position a valve spring retainer keeper or the like thereon, and a spring member extending from one member to the other to urge one of said members toward the other to clamp the valve spring retainer keeper or the like therebetween, said spring member adapted to engage the keeper to clamp it against said positioning means.

9. In a hand tool, a pair of jaws movable toward and away from each other, eaoh'jaw having relatively movable and opposed members associated therewith, means on each jaw to position a valve spring retainer'keeper or the like thereon, and a spring member extending from one member to the other to urge one of said members toward the other to clamp the valve spring retainer keeper or the like therebetween, said spring member adapted to engage the keeper to clamp it against said positioning means and to urge it downwardly upon the surface of said jaw.

- wardly therefrom and disposed at substantially the keeper and urge it against said fingers and 10. In a hand tool, apair of jaws, a releasable holder for a valve spring retainer keeper on each jaw, said holder comprising means to grip the keeper at oppositely disposed points, means to position the keeper on said jaw, and common means to operate said gripping means, and to engage the keeper to urge it into engagement with said positioning means and into engagement with the upper surface of said jaw.

FRED J. CLEMENS. 

